:)

"Jim Spanfeller" (awesomeaustinv) 05/14/2020 at 14:58 • Filed to: None

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I got to see Phoebe again today. It’s looking like I might need to add main bearings to the list of things she needs, and I’m also thinking about possibly replacing the cylinder heads with new or remanufactured ones rather than sending the old ones to a machine shop, since it looks like buying new ones might actually be cheaper and more convenient, not to mention they would come with new valves already installed, and the old valves are bad. I’d need exactly the right kind of head, though, which is the catch, because the valves are non-adjustable. Still, progress! I get to work on my car again! Any advice on engine rebuilding?

Future next gen S2000 owner > Jim Spanfeller 05/14/2020 at 15:02

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I rebuilt the 390 in my old Galaxie, ‘ 65. I would buy new heads. Aluminum if you are feeling generous. The FE’s are not lightweights .

Jim Spanfeller > Future next gen S2000 owner 05/14/2020 at 15:06

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Certainly not light... Them’s hefty heads. I’ll think about aluminum if I can afford it.

Nothing > Jim Spanfeller 05/14/2020 at 15:15

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That exterior looks mighty clean. Is it as solid as it looks in pictures?

Jim Spanfeller > Nothing 05/14/2020 at 15:21

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For the most part, yeah. And considering it’s never been restored, it’s really not bad. That said, it’s not without its faults. There is some surface rust in the rear quarter panels, and you can see the rust bubbles in the top pic. There’s also a bit of rust in the passenger side floor that causes the carpet to get wet when I drive through a puddle. There’s a bit of rust in the drip rails as well. The worst rust is around the trunk seal, where there are rust holes you can stick your finger through. But other than that, it’s solid. The only other body imperfections are a couple dents and a mysteriously wavy panel under the rear bumper.

fintail > Jim Spanfeller 05/14/2020 at 15:24

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Wi th what looks like a 78-79 Malibu Classic beside it, going back in time 40 years.

Any estimate on the rebuild cost for the 390?

Jim Spanfeller > fintail 05/14/2020 at 15:30

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I don’t want to think about how much the rebuild will cost, but it’s almost certainly going to be at least over $1,000 assuming I do most of the work myself.

And that Malibu in the background is absurdly clean. Barely a single imperfection. I’ve gotten up close to it, and it is one of if not the most beautifully nice malaise cars I’ve ever seen. It was donated to the shop by an old guy, but tragically, the shop teacher doesn’t have the title for the car and the old guy hasn’t looked for it yet. It’s been there for years and the shop teacher would like to sell it, but he’s still waiting on the title.

fintail > Jim Spanfeller 05/14/2020 at 15:36

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That’s not bad at all. I can’t do the work on my car, but if it needed a full rebuild, I’d budget at least 10K for it, maybe more like 15K just in case - the fun of German cars. When it needed a piston ring and a few other things, I spent around $2500 in parts - and that was in 1997. Embrace the relative lack of expense of working on an old V8.

That Malibu probably has a 267 or if lucky a 305 putting out almost negative hp, but there is a weird appeal to some of those cars, maybe being in that they simply still exist.

Jim Spanfeller > fintail 05/14/2020 at 15:48

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Due to Idaho’s relatively forgiving climate, there are actually a lot of people still driving around in malaise cars here. 80's and 90's cars abound as well. In the summertime, every other day you see at least one or two nice classics driving around. It’s a pretty nice place to live for a car enthusiast.

My bird IS the word > Jim Spanfeller 05/14/2020 at 15:51

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Advice on engine rebuilding? The cost of a blueprint crate engine with a warranty is usually the same or cheaper than the cost of parts/lab or.

fintail > Jim Spanfeller 05/14/2020 at 15:53

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Same here west of the mountains - there’s actually a blue Malibu coupe of that era I see on the road somewhat regularly in my area. I see an 80s car on the road pretty much every day still, and 90s cars are still virtually not noticed.   In this light traffic, a few people bring their oldies out on weekdays too - I saw a lovely 61-62 Continental convertible out on the road during the morning “rush” last week.

It was really something back in the 80s and 90s, 50s and 60s material was everywhere, much of it in decent condition, and not insanely expensive.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller 05/14/2020 at 16:44

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Ah so happy you finally got to see Phoebe again. Are you going to have access to her from now on? Looks like that engine rebuild could take a while from here. The dust on that orange paint saddens me, but I’m sure she’ll be back on the road soon*

*soonish

And there are a lot of interesting things in the background too. Nice colors in the F100 and the Malibu. I also see a first gen Odyssey and a, um, Cadillac Seville?

I got a new battery for Geoff finally and I could see that pollen in the light. It’s real bad so I’m gonna go get out the pressure washer.

Jim Spanfeller > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/14/2020 at 19:33

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I should have access to her most weekdays. Mostly right now we’re just working on gathering the parts she needs. Turns out, it’s not as easy as you would think...

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller 05/14/2020 at 19:35

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That is saying something since I can’t imagine it is all that easy, especially with current logistical challenges. Good thing you have access now, though, even if just to assess what parts to order. Keep us updated!

Jim Spanfeller > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/14/2020 at 19:44

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I will keep y’all updated. I think a lot of the difficulty is actually coming from the fact that the Ford FE engine architecture was very common. There were a ton of different variations of it and things like the valvetrain are non-adjustable, so you have to make sure you’re getting exactly the right part or else it won’t work. The tricky part is figuring out what the right part actually is. 

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > Jim Spanfeller 05/17/2020 at 10:16

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If you don’t fix her the earth will take her back.  See below for 8 examples.

Jim Spanfeller > John Norris (AngryDrifter) 05/17/2020 at 10:33

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Very sad. E ver since I bought the car, though, I’ve been committed to keeping it on the road. It’s a survivor car and has never been restored, simply maintained. After all that, I’m not about to let it die. It’s my baby.